What is the purpose of the 10 Commandments since Christians are "no longer under the Law"?

Blog »   

What is the Purpose of the 10 Commandments,
since Christians are "no longer under the Law"?

 August 25, 2014

The Ten Commandments are simply huge!  They are the banks of the river, keeping the life of the obedient believer flowing within the boundaries of the how the world really works from an eternal perspective.   From a “this worldly perspective” cutting corners on the 10 commandments works in short run, but in the long run has disastrous consequences.  I can cheat now and it looks like it works!  I get away with it.  I make money.  I get what I want.   But as a cheat I become less human, I become disconnected from God, people begin to see me for who I am, life for those who cheat is a downhill slide.  

The 10 Commandments are the” cliff notes” of how the real world, God’s eternal, world actually works.  Everything that matters most in life is listed: honoring God and respecting others.  They are the rules for “children”, who operate on a “have to” basis before they become “adults”, who will one day operate on a “I want to obey God” basis.    Yet, when the children have become adults they don’t grow past the commands but live “into” them and live them out in fullest depth of their meaning.  

From the perspective of Christ-led life they are both the training curriculum and the fullness of the curriculum at the same time.   They are the means whereby children learn that God can be trusted.  They are, when obeyed, how we learn that living life God’s way works.  They teach us the foundations for morality and ethics in God’s good world.

They show us not to rely on our manipulation of our worlds to get what we want, rather to rely on God’s provision.

They are His protection of us from evil. They are never thrown out.               

The Holy Spirit led life will lead us voluntarily not to lie, not to steal, to want a Sabbath, and all the rest.  I suggest talking a few moments to read Jesus’ “take” on the 10 commandments in Matthew chapters 5, 6, 7.  It’s amazing.

Comment    

For more:   follow on Twitter @jefflampl